--- title: "Provision of Internal Audit Services" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0783b5" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0783b5" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0783b5.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0783b5.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "Arts University Bournemouth" published: "2026-10-08" --- # Provision of Internal Audit Services Buyer: Arts University Bournemouth Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0783b5 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0783b5) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0783b5.json) ## Summary Arts University Bournemouth is procuring a fully outsourced internal audit service to act as the university’s internal audit function. The provider will give independent assurance to the Board of Governors and Audit & Risk Committee on governance, risk management, internal controls and value for money. Work includes appointing a named Head of Internal Audit, developing a risk-based strategy and annual plan, conducting audit reviews, reporting findings, tracking management actions and giving an annual Head of Internal Audit Opinion. The provider may also undertake investigations and advisory work where independence is maintained, and coordinate with external auditors and other assurance providers. Specialist support may be needed across areas including cyber security, data analytics, procurement, estates and capital projects. The buyer is Arts University Bournemouth; delivery is in the United Kingdom. The buyer invited offers through a two-stage Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. Suppliers first complete a Conditions of Participation / Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ); those meeting the requirements may be shortlisted for the Invitation to Tender stage. PSQ clarification questions were due by 21 October 2026, and PSQ responses by 12 noon UK time on 4 November 2026, submitted electronically through the MyTenders portal. The PSQ is assessed pass/fail; the stated 30% commercial, 40% technical and 30% presentation weightings apply at ITT, with presentations for the top four bidders. The estimated value is £302,000 including VAT (£251,666.67 excluding VAT). The initial contract runs from 1 August 2027 to 31 July 2030, with two possible 12-month extensions, up to 31 July 2032. The requirement suits internal audit firms able to provide an independent, fully outsourced function and maintain objectivity throughout the engagement. The proposed Head of Internal Audit must be suitably qualified and experienced, with demonstrable higher education experience. Suppliers need to comply with the Global Internal Audit Standards and the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors Code of Ethics, and show a satisfactory External Quality Assessment within the applicable review cycle. The buyer requires at least three references for outsourced internal audit services delivered to UK higher education institutions in the previous three years. Bidders must demonstrate appropriate financial standing, audited accounts for the previous three completed financial years, and required professional indemnity, public liability, employers’ liability and cyber liability insurance. They must meet UK data protection and information security requirements, support Audit & Risk Committee meetings, manage conflicts of interest, and provide suitably qualified specialist resources. SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises are identified as suitable. ## Notice Arts University Bournemouth wishes to appoint a suitably qualified and independent provider to deliver a fully outsourced Internal Audit Service. The appointed provider will act as the University's Internal Audit function and provide independent assurance to the Board of Governors and Audit & Risk Committee regarding the adequacy and effectiveness of governance, risk management, internal control and value-for-money arrangements. The contract will include, but not be limited to: * Provision of a named Head of Internal Audit; * Development of a risk-based Internal Audit Strategy and Annual Audit Plan; * Delivery of risk-based internal audit reviews; * Reporting to the Audit & Risk Committee and Board of Governors as required; * Follow-up and monitoring of management actions; * Provision of an annual Head of Internal Audit Opinion; * Special investigations and advisory assignments where independence can be maintained; and * Coordination with External Audit and other assurance providers. The contract is expected to commence on 1 August 2027 for an initial term of three years, with the option to extend for up to two additional periods of twelve months. This procurement is being conducted using a two-stage Competitive Flexible Procedure. Stage 1 comprises a Conditions of Participation / Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). Suppliers meeting the requirements of the PSQ will be invited to participate in Stage 2, the Invitation to Tender (ITT). ### Lot Information Lot 1 Renewal: The contract will be awarded for an initial term of three (3) years commencing on 1 August 2027. Arts University Bournemouth reserves the right to extend the contract by up to two (2) additional periods of twelve (12) months each, subject to satisfactory supplier performance, continued business need and the University's sole discretion. The maximum potential contract term is therefore five (5) years ending on 31 July 2032. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/095182-2026 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Selective | | Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 8 Oct 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 1 Aug 2027 - 31 Jul 2030 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £251,666 | | Lots value | £251,666 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | Arts University Bournemouth | | Locality | DORSET | | Postcode area | Bournemouth | | Postcode | BH12 5HH | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset | | ITL 3 | TLK63 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | | Local authority | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | | Electoral ward | Talbot & Branksome Woods | | Westminster constituency | Bournemouth West | | Delivery location | TLK South West (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### Codes - 79210000 - Accounting and auditing services - 79212000 - Auditing services - 79212200 - Internal audit services ## Release History - 8 Oct 2026 at 12:57 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/095182-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/095182-2026 8th October 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.mytenders.co.uk/Authority/NoticeBuilder/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=654563 PROCUREMENT SPECIFIC QUESTIONNAIRE (PSQ) - https://www.mytenders.co.uk/Authority/NoticeBuilder/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=654564 Conflict of Interest Form - https://www.mytenders.co.uk/Authority/NoticeBuilder/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=654565 AUB Supplier Declaration Form - https://www.mytenders.co.uk/authority/Authority_PubNoticeList.aspx The technical specification and Conditions of Participation are contained within the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) and associated tender documents. The successful supplier will be required to provide a fully outsourced Internal Audit Service to Arts University Bournemouth, including the provision of a named Head of Internal Audit, development of risk-based audit plans, delivery of assurance reviews, reporting to the Audit & Risk Committee, provision of an annual Head of Internal Audit Opinion, and access to specialist audit resources where required. The service must be delivered in accordance with the Global Internal Audit Standards, Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors requirements, applicable legislation, and the requirements set out within the procurement documentation. All procurement documents are available through the MyTenders e-tendering portal. ## Notice URLs - http://www.aub.ac.uk/ - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents - https://www.mytenders.co.uk/ - https://www.mytenders.co.uk/ResponsestotheConditionsofParticipation/ProcurementSpecificQuestionnaire(PSQ)mustbesubmittedelectronicallythroughtheMyTenderse-tenderingportal.SuppliersshouldnotsubmitresponsesbyemailorpostunlessexpresslyinstructedbyArtsUniversityBournemouth.AllclarificationquestionsmustbesubmittedthroughthemessagingfacilitywithintheMyTendersportalnolaterthan21October2026.ThedeadlineforsubmissionofPSQresponsesis12:00noon(UKlocaltime)on4November2026.Latesubmissionsmaynotbeaccepted.Suppliersareresponsibleforensuringthattheirsubmissionissuccessfullyuploadedandsubmittedbeforethedeadline.FollowingcompletionofthePSQstage,shortlistedsupplierswillbeinvitedtoparticipateinStage2(InvitationtoTender)throughtheUniversity'se-tenderingsystem. ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0783b5. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0783b5.json.